After six years of forced absence:
The LDE returns under the slogan: “No matter how divided we are… Lebanon unites us.”
The works of the Lebanese Diaspora Energy (LDE) 2025 conference kicked off this morning in its special reduced format at AVA Venue in Ashrafieh – Beirut, with the presence of President Michel Aoun and a distinguished group of Lebanese expatriates, alongside several MPs, and economic, political, diplomatic, religious, and military figures, as well as representatives of the security agencies.
MP Gebran Bassil
Founder of the LDE, MP Gebran Bassil, delivered a speech saying:
“With great joy, we welcome you to the LDE conference after a six-year interruption due to the well-known circumstances of the country. We thank you for attending despite the difficult situation.”
“The Lebanese Diaspora Energy is not just a conference; it is the energy of Lebanese presence across the world and a meeting space for expatriates around the idea of ‘Lebanity’ — our shared belonging to Lebanon — and how to turn this identity into a positive force serving the nation. Because of our diversity, we are not a sect, a race, or an ethnicity; we are connected by Lebanese genes. That is why ‘no matter how different we are… Lebanon unites us.’”
“The Lebanese diaspora is not simply scattered communities around the world, nor should it be treated as a seasonal file, an ATM machine, or merely an electoral vote. We deal with it as a human strength and a strategic power. Lebanon is a country of internal balances, but these balances are not complete without balancing with its diaspora.”
“The diaspora is strategic. It is an energy of belonging that must stand above any other affiliation. It is knowledge, culture, expertise, economic power, reputation, global trust, influence, and above all, resilience. ‘Lebanity’ is the strength to endure, to adapt, and to transform hardship into positive energy. You adapted abroad; we adapted at home. What kept us alive was our Lebanese identity.”
He added:
“When I was Foreign Minister, I treated the diaspora as a national cause needing a national plan at the heart of foreign policy. That is why I proposed a law to establish a National Diaspora Council elected from all expatriate components with real powers, and laws granting economic and financial incentives, as well as changing the ministry’s name to ‘Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Diaspora, and International Cooperation.’”
“We succeeded in passing the Citizenship Restoration Law and enshrined it as a right, because identity is our most precious possession. We opened the door for diaspora political participation in national decision-making for the first time in Lebanon’s history.”
“We visited Lebanese communities in 158 countries and cities, held 16 LDE conferences in Lebanon and abroad, activated embassies, expanded consulates, appointed 20 of the best economic attachés (who were later removed), appointed 118 honorary consuls (and more were coming but halted). We launched the e-Mofa platform to directly connect expatriates with their embassies to complete transactions online; two phases were completed, but the final phase was stopped after October 17.”
“We launched dozens of initiatives including the Lebanese Expat House, LDE, Lebanon Connect, ‘Buy Lebanese’, Diaspora Diplomacy, Gastro Diplomacy, created chambers of commerce, professional networks, and economic agreements. These were not temporary achievements nor personal accomplishments, but a foundational path meant to continue — and this is why we gather today in this special reduced LDE Christmas and New Year edition number 17.”
Addressing the diaspora, he said:
“After leaving the ministry, I continued my commitment to the diaspora cause. However, citizenship decrees were halted out of fear of their popularity, as though restoring nationality threatens demographics instead of preserving identity.”
“In 2022, diaspora representation seats were suspended. And today, in 2026, there is a tendency — even an implicit agreement — to suspend all expatriate voting rights abroad.”
“In response, we submitted an improved citizenship law to facilitate and accelerate procedures and prevent future suspension. We also proposed tax and fee reductions exclusively for expatriates, and we are preparing a ‘Diaspora Fund’ law to be submitted this week, after consulting you. It will be an investment fund with incentives and state participation via IDAL at 20%, without management control — only supportive contribution. We are also studying special individual incentives for diaspora members.”
“Most importantly, we are resisting attempts to abolish three rights of expatriates:
– Voting from abroad
– Direct representation
– Running for parliament from abroad
This is not just a national mistake; it is a strategic crime against Lebanon as a state and nation.”
He continued:
“The right of expatriate voting is part of redefining citizenship by granting choice. Direct representation is a right acknowledged by the UN and cannot be dropped under any pretext of ‘electoral realism.’ Citizenship restoration is a legal bridge to those forced to emigrate. We want them expatriates, not exiles — and that’s the difference.”
“The diaspora is not a money vault and must not be turned into a silent funding machine. It is a symbol of sovereignty, freedom, and economic strength. We want it as a full partner in citizenship and decision-making.”
“Lebanon on the map is 10,452 km², but diaspora Lebanon has no borders. Resident Lebanon is weak without diaspora Lebanon, and diaspora without rights is wasted power.”
“The diaspora must not simply support; it must partner in safeguarding existence — through decision, not only emotion. Existence is protected by production and investment in energy, technology, AI and robotics, education, health, and independent diaspora investment funds. Who is more capable than you of rebuilding Lebanon?”
He concluded:
“Lebanon’s pluralism is our universal value. Our narrative must be national, inclusive, without minorities or majorities — a partnership of roles. The diaspora is not required to align with any political axis; it simply must not disappear. Lebanon is saved not by blocs, but by a free diaspora connected to a just state. When the inside meets the outside, a stronger homeland is born.”
He thanked the diaspora saying:
“Whatever divides us… Lebanon unites us.”
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Pascale Dahrouj Hanna
President of the Lebanese Diaspora Energy Association Pascale Dahrouj Hanna said:
“Today, the conference returns after six years of forced suspension. LDE started with a clear vision and bold decision by Minister Bassil, based on belief that the diaspora is not a margin but a pillar of national revival. National projects do not end with change of positions or freeze with time.”
“After everything we lived through, it has become clear the project was right. Lebanon does not lack competence; it lacks connection. We have human capital worldwide, leaders in global institutions, but we needed a framework — a platform to turn capability into action. LDE is not nostalgia; it is organization, planning, ideas, and partnership.”
“That is why we chose the slogan: ‘No matter how divided we are… Lebanon unites us,’ calling for dialogue and joint work to transform this platform into a partnership between the state, private sector, and diaspora.”
“Lebanon today stands at a crossroads amid regional changes and mounting challenges — but opportunities still exist. The choice is ours: either remain observers or become part of the solution.”
She thanked all those “who believed, worked, and chose to build rather than watch.”
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Dani Richa
Dani Richa, CEO of Impact BBDO Middle East, said:
“The diaspora is emotionally and economically connected to Lebanon. Lebanon travels with us wherever we go. Our diversity is not a weakness — it is Lebanon’s opportunity.”
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Andrea Wazen
Fashion designer Andrea Wazen addressed young entrepreneurs:
“You do not need perfect timing to succeed. You need resilience, adaptation, and determination. Our Lebanese identity teaches us to rise again. I am honored to share my journey that reached global stages and Hollywood.”
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Rami Baitiéh
CEO of Morrisons UK, Rami Baitiéh, said:
“My story began in Marjeyoun; I grew up in Tripoli and Akkar in a modest but value-rich family. At 17, I left seeking safety and opportunity. From Lebanon to France on a scholarship, then across the world leading major corporations. Today I manage over 100,000 employees. What makes Lebanese uniquely successful is resilience, diversity, and emotional intelligence.”
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Ricardo Karam
Media host Ricardo Karam said:
“Eleven years ago a major initiative was born — not luxury, but necessity. Lebanon’s real wealth is not land, but its people. The LDE began at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs but soon transcended institutions and became a collective will of Lebanese unity.”
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At the end of the opening session, Pascale Dahrouj Hanna presented an honorary shield to MP Bassil and commemorative shields to the speakers.
Artist Ghassan Saliba performed patriotic songs, and poet Nizar Frans recited a poem.
